Andrew encourages the people
he works with to make small
changes to their lifestyles. A
complete overhaul is unlikely to
be successful – but a tiny tweak
to the usual routine could stick.
“It’s little things – what are your
goals that are achievable?” he
says – and he points out that
sometimes people need to be
reminded that they are already
active in lots of ways, and that
being more active does not
stop you from enjoying some
little indulgences as well.
“Taking your kids to school
– that’s athletic as well, don’t
“
If things
are not fun,
and people
don’t see the
benefit, they
will just give
up.”
One client did not want to do
any more walking or jogging
as part of her exercise regime
as she was on her feet for
much of the day with her job
as a cleaner. Instead, she
and Andrew put together a
programme that worked for her,
adding in squats, twists and
lifts, which she could do over
the course of her usual day.
brush that off. Put that as part
of your training – and jog back.
What about holding isometric
poses? You don’t have to keep
moving and put pressure on
your joints.
“You can have your [fast food],
but add other things to your
routine. Get off the bus one stop
early, then two, then three – how
many stops can you go?”
Keeping a track of all the
activity a client does over the
course of the week is vital too.
It reminds them of the goals
they’re looking to achieve, the
changes they’re making to their
daily schedule – and of course
tells Andrew just how well they
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www.exerciseregister.org
are managing to stick to their
programme.
He has devised charts for
people to fill in as they go
about their day, noting down
their cardio, strength and core
activities. They can even record
it on their phone if they wish.
And Andrew will go the extra
mile to ensure that the people
he works with are happy and
comfortable with the exercise
they’re doing. He will meet them
somewhere they’re familiar with
before taking them to a gym; for
some people it’s the very first
time they’ve set foot anywhere
like that, and feeling worried or
nervous is only to be expected.